Trialists earn Terriers win in charity contest

Andrew McDonnell – Bedlington Terriers FC correspondent

Trialists Tom Skidmore, Kallum McGlen and Alex Laviers all scored as Bedlington Terriers defeated a Koast Radio side in a charity match at Welfare Park.

After dominating the opening stages, Skidmore broke the deadlock after 22 minutes after breaking into the box and lobbing the keeper.

Action from Bedlington Terriers' charity game with a Koast Radio XI.

Koast tired and Bedlington took advantage with Kallum McGlen scoring a sublime curling effort which found the top-corner and Laviers adding another late on.

The match was in aid of the late Margaret Stewart after she lost her battle with cancer earlier this year, with all proceeds going to Wansbeck General Hospital’s palliative care unit.

Bedlington went into the game unbeaten during pre-season.

The game followed an earlier contest where Bedlington Juniors Under-11s went down to Ashington Under-11s as the Colliers won 3-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in normal time.

When it came to the main event of the day, both sides did not hold back, but it was the Terriers who almost took the lead through Adam Harvey.

Marc Walton and Stephen Buzzeo both had opportunities in quick succession after nine minutes, but S Armstrong denied both with brilliant saves.

Walton was played through on goal ten minutes later, but the keeper denied the striker once again.

Skidmore finally opened the scoring following a frustrating first 20 minutes.

The full back gunned forward and after some neat build-up play, he lofted the ball up and over the keeper after Walton neatly played him through.

Koast’s first attempt of the game came through Brent Aisbett after 25 minutes, but his shot from outside the area was well seen by Dan Staples.

Michael Angus, who threatened down the left at the back end of the half, produced a brilliant floating through ball to Aisbett, but his attempt was saved once again.

Buzzeo latched upon Walton’s rebounded shot moments later at the other end, but Dominic Molloy blocked on the line, denying the midfielder.

Koast went close a minute into the second-half when Aisbett turned the defender and fired his shot inches wide.

Angus produced another fine looping through ball to the striker, but Fraizer Nairn, who replaced Staples at half-time, leapt onto the ball before Aisbett could strike.

Mason Stephenson, who score Bedlington’s winner against the Colliers, skipped past two players, but Rhy Richardson produced a last-ditch challenge to deny the trialist the opportunity.

Hudson was denied twice by ex-Terriers keeper Luc Glasper on the hour mark.

However, the hosts’ second goal did come, McGlen once again produced another top-draw finish, sending his shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Former West Allotment Celtic man Hudson provided Laviers with a pass across the box, giving the 16-year-old a tap-in for his first goal for the club.

Koast had the final chance in the game, and the Terriers called upon Nairn again, when he had to produce a diving stop to keep out Lewis’ effort.

Bedlington lifted the trophy after proceedings in Andy Ferrell’s third game in charge, and they now face an additional friendly against 2014-15 Northern Alliance runners-up AFC Newbiggin on Wednesday, July 22.